S10E11 A Concert For Christmas: Helen Hawkins’ peak Hallmark novel, with a twist

“Having the darkness makes the lighter bits… light. And when there is that happy end, you feel like they’ve earnt it. And it’s all the brighter for the trauma that they’ve been through” ~Helen Hawkins

A traditional Hallmark book or film has a very clear path - a tried and true narrative loved by audiences. But this is a Christmas love story that hits a depth of emotion rarely covered by the typical novel in this genre.

A Concert For Christmas is the debut novel from Helen Hawkins and brings us the beauty of a memorable festive love story, while also taking us on a journey through real trauma, turmoil and darkness. And it does it all while remaining a cost, fireside companion for anyone nestling down for the winter.

During this conversation Helen and Mark discuss the jumping off point for the book and Helen’s love of the Hallmark genre. They explore the business of writing and what it really takes to go from writer to published author. They examine the psychology of reviews and why they shouldn’t always be taken to heart. And they explore the importance of injecting a bit of darkness into a romance novel like this.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why it’s crucial to look for a twist on conventional narratives
• The benefits of finding a community to enhance your writing
• How to see reviews of your work differently

Find out more about Helen here.

Your host is inkjockey founder Mark Heywood.

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You can view the full transcript here.

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